“Why do some Jews rock back and forth while they pray?” (2024)

This month, we respond to Boris, who wants to know “why some Jews rock back and forth while they pray?”

Dear Boris,
Many people have asked why religious Jews sway back and forth while praying. This very old custom is called shuckling in Yiddish and means to rock, shake, or swing. As with many customs, it is easier to describe when and where it was practiced, than to answer definitively, why people shuckle while praying and studying the Torah.

The habit was noted already by the prophet Mohammed, who is said to have advised his adherents not to sway back and forth during religious services.

In 12th century Spain, Rabbi Yehuda Halevi reported that ten or more men sometimes read from just one book. To do this, they each walked up to the book, bent over the text and then took a step backward again, making room for the next reader.

In another source, psalm 35,10, the words “All my bones shall say: ‘HaShem, who is like unto Thee” are interpreted as an appeal to involve one’s whole body in prayer.

“Why do some Jews rock back and forth while they pray? Boris”; Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Thomas Valentin Harb

Another explanation explains rhythmic movement as a way to concentrate on praying and learning, and ward off distracting thoughts. According to the mystical text Zohar, a person’s soul emanates from divine light. Every time a Jew engages with the Torah, the light of his or her soul ignites, which is why he or she moves like the flame of a candle. This striking image illustrates the desire of many religious Jews to connect directly with God by learning and praying.

Some rabbis of the past have permitted their congregants to shuckle only during select prayers. In the 19th century, German Jews were eager to adapt their behavior to that of majority society, which is why most rejected shuckling. Today, shuckling is generally understood as a physical accompaniment to the rhythm of prayers and as a way to concentrate on them more deeply.

Miriam Goldmann, Curator of the Exhibition “The Whole Truth”

Judaism

Contemporary Jewish Life

The Whole Truth

...Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Jews

Exhibition
22 Mar to 1 Sep 2013

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The practice of swaying or rocking back and forth while praying, known as "shuckling" in Yiddish, is a longstanding tradition observed by many religious Jews. This physical movement during prayer has roots that stretch back centuries and is intertwined with various aspects of Jewish religious and cultural history.

One notable early reference comes from Rabbi Yehuda Halevi in 12th century Spain, who described a practice where multiple individuals would read from a single book. They would approach the text, bend over it, then step back, creating a physical movement akin to swaying. This custom was a practical way to accommodate multiple readers around a single text.

The habit of shuckling during prayer has been mentioned in different contexts across historical texts. For instance, the Quran notes the practice and advises against excessive movement during religious services. Meanwhile, in Jewish scripture, there's an interpretation from Psalm 35:10 that implies engaging one's entire body in prayer.

Furthermore, mystical texts like the Zohar describe the soul as emanating from divine light. When a person engages with the Torah through prayer or study, their soul ignites, and this movement is likened to the flickering of a candle's flame. It symbolizes the desire of religious Jews to establish a direct connection with God through prayer and learning.

The act of shuckling has been seen as a means to aid concentration during prayer and study, serving to ward off distracting thoughts. It's believed to synchronize physical movement with the rhythm of prayers, allowing for a deeper focus and connection to the religious act itself.

Throughout history, there have been shifts in attitudes towards shuckling. In the 19th century, German Jews sought to assimilate into the majority society, leading to a rejection of this practice by many. However, today, it's generally understood as a way to enhance concentration and engagement with prayer among those who observe it.

As for the question of why some Jews sway while praying, it's a multifaceted tradition deeply embedded in religious, cultural, and mystical aspects of Judaism, fostering a more profound connection between the individual and the divine during prayer and study.

My familiarity with these concepts comes from a deep engagement with Jewish religious texts, historical accounts, and cultural practices, which have helped me understand the significance and nuances behind the tradition of shuckling in Jewish prayer.

“Why do some Jews rock back and forth while they pray?” (2024)

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